I have just been having the worst luck with mechanical problems on cars lately.

1 - My wife's '02 4Runner has been having all kinds of little to big things go wrong:
a - Power Antenae broke
b- Driver Door power lock stopped working. After two weeks, my wife threatened the car and it's been working ever since.
b - brakes have been replaced, but still feel like crap after bringing back to the dealer 4 times, they still can't find anything wrong
c - The 4WD lights started flashing - after 1.5 weeks to diagnose, we found out there was something messed up in the transfer case. Another 3 days to fix - and $1500.

Hence the reason the wife wants the RX.

2. My '04 TL started up real rough a couple of weeks ago and showed CEL. Diagnosis found random misfires. Did a valve adjustment and throttle body service - $500 - and it still doesn't seem quite right. I was told to give it a couple of days to adjust. We'll see.

3. While the other two cars traded places in the shop, I was borrowing my fathers '95 Intrepid. On the way in to work this morning the transmission completely failed. I was on the freeway going about 70 at the time. There was construction and concrete barrier on the shoulder. Luckily I had enough momentum to make it off the freeway, but the car is toast. Not worth repairing.

Stay tuned for the "What used car should my father get?" thread.

Now, I never want to own a car out of warranty, but, financially, I can't justify/afford new cars every 3-4 years.

 

Update - Just got a call from the folks. They called AAA to tow the car home - beyond the 7 mile free radius - and they noticed a hose dangling. The tow driver said he knew a tranny shop nearby and towed it there. 5 quarts of ATF and $30 later, the car is back on the road. Cost less than towing it home and it dodges the call from the car reaper.

 

Sorry to hear of all the bad luck man. It seems like that RX can't get here soon enough.
As far as the warranty, maybe you should buy the extended warranty when you get new cars. As much of a scam as they usually are, I'd say that would be a gould investment with your luck...
Hope your luck turns around...

 

Damn, some bad luck. On the bright side, there is one less Intrepid on the road?

 

Nice try, but the Intrepid got a new lease on life. See post #2.

 

You should stop driving immediately. Clearly it's bad luck.

 

My mechanic suggested I buy a horse.

At least I wasn't driving when all the stuff with the 4Runner started happening.

 

That sucks Moe. It sucked for me just having exhaust problems with both of my cars. At least those were quick and cheap fixes.

 

well, they say bad luck happens in "3's" so maybe that's it

 

Let's hope.

 

btw, that AAA's free 7 miles radius policy is lame... at what point are you NOT going to go pass 7 miles?

 

Get extended warranties

That's why I think it's worth the extra $30 to get the Plus membership (100 mile towing, free gas if you run out, etc.).

 

Big

It's worth it. My friend and I used it when her Jetta broke down on 95 in the damn Bronx while we were driving home to her house in PA from school in RI. We got towed all the way to the tolls on 78 at the border of PA/NJ.

 

I have crappy luck with my car too, but its the nature of owning a Chrysler.

Thank god for on board diagnostics.

Just today I threw another engine code. $70 Cam angle sensor.

If youre going to take care of cars these days, you have to get familiar with the parts departments and socket sets. So many electronics go out, its just cheaper to fix it yourself.

 

Wha??? I sure am lost but glad you made it back home

 

It just sucks when you maintain your vehicles properly and they still fall apart.
Yeah, but newer cars aren't supposed to break down. How you doin?

Kind of tough to do when you have no place to do the work. Minor stuff, perhaps, but getting into the tranny? Forget it.

 

Me too, the Bronx is a scary place for two females from the burbs!!

 

It ain't too nice for a guy that lived in the hood either.

 

Wow, those vehicles aren't that old. Sorry to hear about that. Hopefully it will get better! Best of Luck